Quasi-Newtonian dust cosmologies

Exact dynamical equations for a generic dust matter source field in a cosmological context are formulated with respect to a non-comoving Newtonian-like timelike reference congruence and investigated for internal consistency. On the basis of a lapse function $N$ (the relativistic acceleration scalar potential) which evolves along the reference congruence according to $\dot{N} = \alpha \Theta N$ ($\alpha = {const}$), we find that consistency of the quasi-Newtonian dynamical equations is not attained at the first derivative level. We then proceed to show that a self-consistent set can be obtained by linearising the dynamical equations about a (non-comoving) FLRW background. In this case, on properly accounting for the first-order momentum density relating to the non-relativistic peculiar motion of the matter, additional source terms arise in the evolution and constraint equations describing small-amplitude energy density fluctuations that do not appear in similar gravitational instability scenarios in the standard literature.Comment: 25 pages, LaTeX 2.09 (10pt), to appear in Classical and Quantum Gravity, Vol. 15 (1998

Weak lensing generated by vector perturbations and detectability of cosmic strings

We study the observational signature of vector metric perturbations through the effect of weak gravitational lensing. In the presence of vector perturbations, the non-vanishing signals for B-mode cosmic shear and curl-mode deflection angle, which have never appeared in the case of scalar metric perturbations, naturally arise. Solving the geodesic and geodesic deviation equations, we drive the full-sky formulas for angular power spectra of weak lensing signals, and give the explicit expressions for E-/B-mode cosmic shear and gradient-/curl-mode deflection angle. As a possible source for seeding vector perturbations, we then consider a cosmic string network, and discuss its detectability from upcoming weak lensing and CMB measurements. Based on the formulas and a simple model for cosmic string network, we calculate the angular power spectra and expected signal-to-noise ratios for the B-mode cosmic shear and curl-mode deflection angle. We find that the weak lensing signals are enhanced for a smaller intercommuting probability of the string network, $P$, and they are potentially detectable from the upcoming cosmic shear and CMB lensing observations. For $P\sim 10^{-1}$, the minimum detectable tension of the cosmic string will be down to $G\mu\sim 5\times 10^{-8}$. With a theoretically inferred smallest value $P\sim 10^{-3}$, we could even detect the string with $G\mu\sim 5\times 10^{-10}$.Comment: 39 pages, 5 figures, v2: references added, minor corrections, v3: matches version published in JCA

Multidimensional Computerized Adaptive Testing for Classifying Examinees With Within-Dimensionality

A classification method is presented for adaptive classification testing with a multidimensional item response theory (IRT) model in which items are intended to measure multiple traits, that is, within-dimensionality. The reference composite is used with the sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) to make decisions and decide whether testing can be stopped before reaching the maximum test length. Item-selection methods are provided that maximize the determinant of the information matrix at the cutoff point or at the projected ability estimate. A simulation study illustrates the efficiency and effectiveness of the classification method. Simulations were run with the new item-selection methods, random item selection, and maximization of the determinant of the information matrix at the ability estimate. The study also showed that the SPRT with multidimensional IRT has the same characteristics as the SPRT with unidimensional IRT and results in more accurate classifications than the latter when used for multidimensional data